The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-27

the Argus and its chief Strove ZcalouSly TO
carry the Democratic party 10 higher
plane of action, and to man it with the
best talent and the most worthy OF lis
representative men.
In 1876 Mr.. Manning became member
OF the Democratic State committee. lie
had supported Gov. Tildcn for the nomina-
ton Tor President, and his intimate knowl-
edge Of the Govenor'spans made him one
OF the most useful men ON the committee
during the campaign OF 1915. 1t was the
common support ol Mr.. Tilden that
brought together Mr. Manning, Daniel $.
Lamont, the late Edgar X. Apgar, Charles
$. Fairchild, William G. Whitney, David
B. Hill, Rufus w. Pcckham, and their
cotcric Of young Democrats. Tilden's pol
icy was, TO place the veterans OF his own
age on The retired list and TO rally into
activity the young men OF his own party.
BY so doing he secured more efficient scrv-
ice and ut tho same time got rid Of the
embarrassment OF rivalry.
No one claims for Mr.. Manning special
credit for the measures of success which
tho Democratic party achieved in 1876.
Mr. Tilden was his own captain-gcneral in
that contest. But Mr.. Manning's loyalty
TO their chief and the confidence in him.
sell, which he planted in the minds OF Mr..
Tilden's young men, made him easily Mr..
Tildon's successor in the party leadership.
II required his tcnacity, good faith and
GOODNESS Of judgement 10 bring the party
in this State safe out OF the bitter iactional
warfare of Tammany and anti-Tammany,
which opened with Tildcn's raid in 1871
and closed with the election of Grover
Cleveland in 1854. During those furious
times he had, of course, the aid OF Mr.
Tilden's counsel, but less dextcrous
leader in the field would have spoiled
rather than successfully executed the
| plans OF a superior adviser In 1870 he
was made secretary OF the State commit
tee, with Daniel ;. Lamont as clerk. The
convention that advanced him 10 this
! position was the stormicst one OF Mr..
| Manning's time. Lucius Robinson, rs
Governor had stcadied the hands OF the
| Iildcn-Manning faction against Tammany.
| The latter, in turn made Robinson their
| candidate for denomination, notwithstand-
| ing the open threat of fammany that they
| would bolt II that program was carried
| out. The convention Oi 1879 split into
two, the Tammany faction boiled, and,
going TO another hail in Syracuse, placed
! John Kelly in nomination for Governor.
| The split gave the state TO the Rcpub-
! licans, but il did not destroy confidence in
/ Mr.. Manning's practical leadership. The
next year Mr.. Tildcn placed in Mr.. Nam
! ning's hands the management OF his in
/ tcrests in the national convention at Gin
cinna,i. Whether his management was
/ good or bad, il was in accordance with the
/ instructions Of the managers principal. II
! Mr. Tildcn had told Mr. Manning 10 90 10
! Cincinnati and bring back his nomination,
/ there isn't reasonable doubt that the
order would have been handsomely exc
/ Cutcd.
The nomination two years later Of
Grover Cleveland for Governor showed
| the best quality OF the mans judgment.
! The question before thoughtful men in the
/ party was not who was the most available
! candidate. but who oi the candidates
would reflect most credit on the Democrat
ic party after he might bc elected. The
condition ri the Republican party in New
! York in 1852 made II certain that the
Democrats would succeed. Il stands to
| the credit oi Mr.. Manning aud his young
men that they insisted on making nomi-
nation with view 10 the govcrnonhip,
aud not merely with view 10 success at
the polls. The same is true with reference
I to GOV. Clcyclands nomination for the
! presidency, except that the element Of
] availability was more prominent IN the
! latter ease. Mr.. Manning was the nearest
| adviser Gov. Cleveland had, and no one
/ knCk 30 we'll as be did that II the latter
cou'T be elected President, the Democratic
\ party would gain in popular reputation
| quito as much rs Il would IN practical po-
/ litiUal power From 1881 till 1885 he was
! chairman Of the State committee and had
| undispulcd control oi the organization.
! This power enabled him 10 carry the State
! convention called 10 chose delegates 10
| the national convention Tor rClcNcland, and
! IA blind the delegation with the unit rule.
Whom he was appointed Secretary OF the
/ Treasury, no one in Albany seriously be-
/ licycd the selection was made as a political
| reward. Tho general judgment was that
| the sub0rl naic was necessity 10 the
! chief Mr.. Manning had never held office.
lie was not ambitious for administrative
| power, however much he may have On.
! loved political leadership. 10 * we'll
known 10 his intimate friends in Albany
that lac took position in the Cabinet with
n full appreciation Of the responsibilities
| Il implied. II his relations with the new
President had been oi less personal nat.
urc, ]; Is probable that hc would have de.
| clincd 10 engage Ia ~ nrduOus task
When lac was asked by Albany bankers 10
be their guest at n dinner In honor OF his
appointment, he declined, saying: IL MS
snrc YOU that the happiness afforded Is all
the greater because quite realize that the
offices YOU tender are genuine and hearty"
! After Mr. Cleveland was elected President
| Mr. Manning expressed n sincere desire IN
retire from political activity. Two weeks
after the election he said 10 the writer:
"Thc campaign was long and hard fought
! desire to be released from responsibility"
Being asked with reference 10 the prevail.
ING gossip about his going into the Cabi-
net, he replied such talk " natural with
! people who do not undofstandhow q man
can be active In successful campaign, as
have been for the past few months, with
/ ont expecting reward In the way Of an
Office. / have no desire for public office
| My means are ample for the support Of my
/ family my business h sufficient TO absorb
| my time ~ closely ~ ! desire 10 have II
| absorbed, and shall be contcntcd 10 ro.
| main at my desk here In the bank, and
/ glide through life as q private citizen. In
| stead Of getting into Office, or deeper into
politics, assure you my desire Is 20 keep
| out Of the former and tO got out OF the lat
ter" With reference 20 the part lac took
In nominating Mr.. Cleveland, he said.
"My action at Chicago was guided by cold
! Judgment. There WIS not a particle Of
sentiment IN Il, as there might have been
II had been urging Mr.. Tilden's nomina.
ton. | was careful not 10 say 10 delegates
from other States that we could carry New
! York for Cleveland. ! only said that II
We could not carry il for linn. I did not